Last Updated on May 3, 2026
Brick siding is one of the most enduring choices a homeowner can make for the exterior of a house. It is fire resistant, extremely durable, and capable of lasting for generations with relatively modest upkeep. Brick homes have a timeless quality that holds its appeal across decades of changing design trends, and well-maintained brick adds genuine long-term value to a property.
That said, brick is not entirely maintenance-free. Over the years, exposure to weather, moisture, and temperature cycles can lead to issues like cracking, fading, mortar deterioration, and the growth of mold or mildew. Catching these problems early and addressing them properly prevents small cosmetic issues from becoming expensive structural repairs.
Here is a comprehensive guide to keeping your brick siding in excellent condition, season after season.
Understand What Makes Brick Vulnerable
Before diving into maintenance tasks, it helps to understand the specific vulnerabilities of brick siding. Brick itself is impressively tough, but mortar, the material filling the joints between bricks, is considerably softer and weathers faster. Water is brick siding’s most persistent enemy. When water infiltrates cracks in mortar joints or gaps between bricks and the underlying structure, it can cause frost damage in cold climates, promote mold growth in humid ones, and gradually undermine the structural integrity of the wall.
UV exposure from sunlight causes gradual fading, particularly in darker colored bricks. Organic growth like moss, algae, and mildew is most common on shaded walls with limited air circulation. Efflorescence, the white mineral deposits that sometimes appear on brick surfaces, signals that water is moving through the wall and evaporating on the surface, leaving salt crystals behind.
Understanding these vulnerabilities helps you know what to look for during inspections and how to prioritize maintenance tasks throughout the year.
Conduct Regular Visual Inspections
The most effective thing you can do to protect your brick siding is to look at it regularly. Walk around your home at least twice a year, ideally once in the spring after winter freezes and again in the fall before cold weather returns. Look closely at the mortar joints between bricks, the areas around windows and doors, and any locations where the brick meets wood trim, roof lines, or other materials.
What you are looking for during these inspections includes crumbling or recessed mortar, cracks running through individual bricks, gaps at transitions between brick and other materials, staining or discoloration that might signal moisture or biological growth, and any areas where the wall surface looks uneven or bulging.
Keep a simple record of what you find and when you found it. This documentation is useful if issues worsen over time and you need to demonstrate to a contractor when a problem began. It also helps you recognize patterns, such as an area that always has moisture issues after heavy rain.
Handle Repairs When Needed
When you spot cracks, chipping, or crumbling mortar, do not delay in addressing them. Water infiltration through damaged areas accelerates dramatically over time, especially in climates with freezing temperatures where water expands as it freezes and widens existing cracks with each freeze-thaw cycle.
For minor cracks and small areas of mortar damage, a process called repointing or tuckpointing restores the mortar joints to their original condition. A mason removes the deteriorated mortar to a depth of about 3/4 of an inch, then packs in fresh mortar that matches the original in both composition and color. Getting this match right matters because mismatched mortar can look patchy and may have different expansion properties that lead to new cracks.
For more significant damage, contact a professional before the problem escalates. It is worth taking time to learn about brick repair services in your area and gather quotes from multiple reputable providers. A good mason will inspect not just the visible damage but look for underlying causes like water intrusion from above or structural movement that may be contributing to the problem.
If you also hire a professional siding contractor for exterior work on other parts of your home, ask them to evaluate your brick while they are on site. Getting multiple eyes on your exterior increases the chance of catching problems early.
Clean Bricks Regularly
Dirt, mold, and mildew accumulate on brick surfaces over time, particularly on shaded north-facing walls where moisture lingers. Left untreated, organic growth penetrates the brick surface and accelerates deterioration. Regular cleaning removes buildup, improves curb appeal, and helps you spot damage that might be hidden beneath grime.
For routine cleaning, a solution of two parts water to one part bleach applied with a stiff brush works well on most stains and organic growth. Work in sections, letting the solution sit for a few minutes before scrubbing, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Avoid pressure washing at excessively high settings, which can damage mortar joints and drive water deeper into the wall system than intended. A moderate-pressure wash with a wide spray pattern is safer for regular maintenance.
For stubborn stains, commercial brick cleaners formulated for masonry surfaces are available at most home improvement stores. Always test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area first to confirm it does not affect the color or surface texture of your particular brick.
Schedule a professional cleaning every few years, particularly if the brick is in poor condition or if you have not cleaned it in some time. Professionals have access to specialized cleaning solutions and techniques that can restore heavily soiled or stained brick to something close to its original appearance.
Monitor and Maintain Mortar Joints
Mortar joints are the most vulnerable part of any brick wall, and monitoring them is the most important ongoing maintenance task you can perform. Mortar typically lasts 20 to 30 years before needing attention, but environmental factors can accelerate this significantly in harsh climates.
Check for signs of mortar deterioration including crumbling texture, gaps between mortar and brick, recessed joints where mortar has worn away, and cracks following the mortar line (as opposed to cracks that cut through individual bricks, which signal more serious structural issues).
If mortar deterioration is widespread, a full repointing of the affected walls will be necessary. This is a labor-intensive job that is best left to an experienced mason who can match the original mortar mix and execute the joints cleanly. Improperly matched or poorly executed repointing can affect both the appearance and waterproofing performance of the wall.
One critical detail: the new mortar must match the original in strength and composition. Using a mortar that is stronger than the surrounding brick can cause the brick itself to crack rather than allowing the mortar joints to flex slightly with temperature and moisture changes. This is the opposite of the desired outcome, so working with a professional who understands masonry chemistry is important for this repair.
Keep Weep Holes Open and Functioning
Weep holes are small openings intentionally created in the mortar joints at the base of a brick wall. They allow water that infiltrates behind the brick veneer to drain out rather than accumulating within the wall cavity. When weep holes become clogged with debris, dirt, or insect nests, water backs up and can cause significant damage to both the brick and the structure behind it.
Inspect weep holes at least once a year and clear any debris with a small brush or wire. Check that each opening is clear all the way through, not just on the surface. If vegetation is growing close to the base of your brick walls, trim it back to improve air circulation and reduce the amount of organic debris that collects near the weep holes.
While you are at the base of the wall, also check the flashing, the metal or membrane material that directs water from behind the brick to the weep holes. Damaged or incorrectly installed flashing is a common source of moisture problems in brick walls and is often the underlying cause of persistent water damage even after visible repairs have been made.
Address Efflorescence Promptly
Efflorescence is a white or yellowish crystalline deposit that appears on brick surfaces when soluble salts within the brick or mortar are dissolved by water, migrate to the surface, and crystallize as the water evaporates. While efflorescence itself does not immediately damage brick, it is a reliable indicator that water is moving through your wall in ways it should not be.
Fresh efflorescence can often be removed by dry brushing the surface with a stiff-bristled brush, which knocks the crystals loose without introducing more moisture. For more stubborn deposits, a diluted solution of muriatic acid or a commercial efflorescence remover may be necessary. Follow all safety precautions carefully and neutralize and rinse the surface thoroughly after treatment.
More important than removing the efflorescence is finding and addressing the moisture source causing it. A professional inspection can identify whether the problem stems from poor drainage, damaged flashing, inadequate curing of the original mortar, or water infiltrating from above. Resolving the underlying cause prevents efflorescence from returning.
Consider Protective Sealing
Applying a breathable masonry sealer to exterior brick is a proactive measure that reduces water infiltration and slows the cycle of damage. The key word is breathable. A sealer that traps moisture inside the wall causes more damage than it prevents. Look for products specifically formulated for brick and masonry that allow water vapor to escape while preventing liquid water from penetrating from the outside.
Sealers are most effective when applied to clean, well-maintained brick in good condition. Sealing over damaged mortar or active moisture problems will not resolve those issues. Make any necessary repairs first, allow everything to cure fully, then apply the sealer according to the product instructions.
Reapply sealer every five to ten years, depending on your climate and the product’s rated performance. A well-sealed brick wall is significantly more resistant to water damage, staining, and freeze-thaw deterioration than unsealed brick.
Protecting Your Home’s Exterior Long Term
Brick siding is a genuine asset that rewards consistent attention. The small investment of time required to inspect, clean, and address minor issues regularly translates to decades of excellent performance and sustained curb appeal. A well-maintained brick home retains its aesthetic quality far better than homes with siding materials that require replacement every few decades.
Think of brick maintenance as a seasonal rhythm rather than a series of one-time tasks. Spring inspection and cleaning, fall inspection before winter, and prompt attention to any issues found in between will keep your brick siding in excellent shape year after year.
For a broader look at protecting and enhancing your home’s exterior, explore our guide on dramatically improving curb appeal for additional ideas that complement well-maintained brick siding beautifully.
If you work in exterior home improvement or masonry and have knowledge to share, we welcome expert contributions through our Write for Us: Home Improvement program. Practical, homeowner-focused guidance is exactly what our readers are looking for.
